Always craving an escape from Vancouver, I recently decided at the very last minute to book a seat on the Coast Starlight and head to Los Angeles for some sunshine and to visit my friend Ben. According to Amtrak, the Coast Starlight route from Seattle to Los Angeles is "widely regarded as one of the most spectacular … Continue reading Riding the Rails to Los Angeles (Part 1)

Sometimes, your evening walks have a way of surprising you. Sometimes, residents of your neighbourhood contribute magical and heartwarming pieces of themselves to the public space. Sometimes, you can't help but smile (and maybe tear up a little) at the humanity that is found when you least expect it. As I spent time reading through … Continue reading Discovering a Wish Tree

Sharing a cabin weekend away with your best friends is a quintessential Gulf Island experience. Mayne Island has charm, beauty and quiet - perfect for a low-key holiday trip to celebrate the New Year. Note: Mayne Island is accessible from both Vancouver and Victoria via BC Ferries. Trips can take anywhere from 45 minutes to … Continue reading Mayne Island Getaway

Doors Open Vancouver (DOV) is a free and behind-the-scenes look at many of Vancouver's sites, buildings and services. It's a great opportunity to learn about how the City of Vancouver is run and experience some of the city's unique architecture, sustainable design, and cultural heritage. As a social media and photography volunteer, I spent a … Continue reading Doors Open Vancouver

I've always loved spending time at local markets, particularly farmers markets full of fresh and local produce. The markets are always a great opportunity to observe locals in a foreign city, and when visiting a market in my own city it is nice to interact with other members of the community. They help to shape and develop … Continue reading West End Farmers Market

The last time I was in Los Angeles, I was a young preteen and my biggest goal for the trip was mouse-spotting at Disneyland and window shopping on Rodeo Drive. At the time, I was under the (false) impression that Beverly Hills was the be all and end all of "LA culture". My adolescent impressions of the city came from my … Continue reading 36 (ish) Hours in LA

Ever since I moved to Vancouver in 2010, I have been happy to call the West End home. This community is vibrant and lively, with a diverse mix of people from all different backgrounds. Not only is the West End home to the Davie Village, which has been the heart of the city's LGBT community for many … Continue reading Springtime in the West End

On my recent trip to New York, my mum and I opted to forgo the hustle and bustle of Midtown for the relative peace and quiet of Greenwich Village. Having been to NYC before, I knew from experience that staying in the tourist 'hot-zone' didn't really connect you to the best of the city. I … Continue reading Meandering through Greenwich